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and if we don't go off the fiscal cliff, the republicans will get blamed from their right wing base for capitulating. so they're in a damned if you do, damned if you don't position. the president has strong hand here. >> you mentioned medicare. let's focus on entitlement reform here specifically. this was congressman eric cantor this afternoon. take a listen. >> what we've always said is we want to fix the problem. we want to make sure that we get a handle on these unfunded obligations, connect it with the sbilgtszment programs. we want to stop the spending problem so we can then go about trying to manage down the debt and deficit. >> nbc's first read made this point. the white house is sending the message that if republicans want entitlement reform, they're the ones who will have to propose it. how much of this is about getting the gop to do some of the dirty work on a sticky issue for democrats? >> i think that is a very big part of it. look, nobody -- we just went through a campaign in which medicare, the ryan budget, and changes to medicare and cuts out of medicare were such a huge
and if we don't go off the fiscal cliff, the republicans will get blamed from their right wing base for capitulating. so they're in a damned if you do, damned if you don't position. the president has strong hand here. >> you mentioned medicare. let's focus on entitlement reform here specifically. this was congressman eric cantor this afternoon. take a listen. >> what we've always said is we want to fix the problem. we want to make sure that we get a handle on these unfunded...
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six governors, democrats, and republicans weigh in on the fiscal cliff today. what will they tell president obama about the spending cuts and tax increases now just 28 days away? >> we must reign in our out of control spending. >> reporter: republicans have an offer, $800 billion in new taxes, half what the president wanted. $600 billion saved in part by making americans wait until they're 67 to get medicare. plus more cuts totalling $2.2 trillion. but no tax hikes for the wealthy. >> that's just not going to happen. >> reporter: the pentagon could take the biggest hit from president obama told defense experts monday, don't worry. >> even as we make very tough fiscal choices, we're going to keep investing in these programs. >> reporter: he went online on youtube and twitter explaining why he thinks the rich should pay more. going over the fiscal cliff could cost america jobs. >> we're only expanding 2% right now. it needs to be considerably higher to bring more people off unemployment. >> reporter: for the jobless, president obama is asking congress for million
six governors, democrats, and republicans weigh in on the fiscal cliff today. what will they tell president obama about the spending cuts and tax increases now just 28 days away? >> we must reign in our out of control spending. >> reporter: republicans have an offer, $800 billion in new taxes, half what the president wanted. $600 billion saved in part by making americans wait until they're 67 to get medicare. plus more cuts totalling $2.2 trillion. but no tax hikes for the wealthy....
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a new poll found more half of americans will blame republicans if we go over the fiscal cliff. >> republicans do not want to touch one hair on the head of one person making over $250,000. that is the rub. >> they've got to come with some specific revenue. they refuse to do that. >> reporter: even other republicans are split on john boehner's plan to avoid tax hikes all together and admit negotiations are going nowhere. >> nothing going on privately that's not going on publicly. >> reporter: republicans say the president needs to meet them halfway. >> he's got to be serious. he's offered more spending, more stimulus than offering any new cuts. >> reporter: and they insist there's good reason why people making over $250,000 a year should not pay more. >> when you raise tax rates, you're impacting the small businesses that create the jobs in this country. >> reporter: the back and forth is unsettling for the nation's governors, democrats and republicans came to washington tuesday with one message. >> you've got the to come together and get this done. >> reporter: and better do it quickly because
a new poll found more half of americans will blame republicans if we go over the fiscal cliff. >> republicans do not want to touch one hair on the head of one person making over $250,000. that is the rub. >> they've got to come with some specific revenue. they refuse to do that. >> reporter: even other republicans are split on john boehner's plan to avoid tax hikes all together and admit negotiations are going nowhere. >> nothing going on privately that's not going on...
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. >>> from nowhere to nonstarter, house republicans pitch their plan to avoid the fiscal cliff and like the president's plan they don't expect to win over the opposition. a sfl senate fight. will republicans reject a personal plea from their former leader bob dole. he's making a rare visit to the senate floor to make his case. and now that we've had a whole month to digest that election day data, where you'll find those who voted for every presidential winner since 1956. that's in today's deep dive. i'm chuck todd feeling a little clogged up as you might hear. the fiscal cliff counteroffer has one thing in common. the differences between the new republican plan and what the white house proposed are stark when it comes to taxes. the gop calls for $800 million in new taxes. it's half of what the white house asked for. republicans to $67 billion. the gop plan changes how security benefits would be calculated. why he favors tax rates instead of eliminating deductions. not enough revenue. less revenue equals more cuts in education. republicans ruled that out saying the new revenue would not
. >>> from nowhere to nonstarter, house republicans pitch their plan to avoid the fiscal cliff and like the president's plan they don't expect to win over the opposition. a sfl senate fight. will republicans reject a personal plea from their former leader bob dole. he's making a rare visit to the senate floor to make his case. and now that we've had a whole month to digest that election day data, where you'll find those who voted for every presidential winner since 1956. that's in...
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remember, the fiscal cliff is an idea that was put forward by republicans -- >> of course. >> as an austerity plan. i agree with ari in the sense that it's a total artifice. there's no reason why you necessarily need to have that, but railroad ama-- ari makes th good point that home ownership and charitable giving are two things in the tax code we want to keep in place. all economists are nearly unanimous if you raise rates on the top 2% you will shave off 0.1% of gdp. you will have no effect on economic growth if you increase tacks on the extraordinarily wealthy here. but, you know, again, this is a party that has campaigned for three years now on cutting the deficit, on cutting government spending. it's unbelievable to me that when you come down to the 11th hour in the negotiations right now, this party cannot identify any significant cuts of any significant scale in either entitlement spending or discretion yaer spending. it shows you this is a party that can talk the talk but can't walk the walk. >> to julian's point, last week boehner tossed out the idea of maybe going back to paul ryan'
remember, the fiscal cliff is an idea that was put forward by republicans -- >> of course. >> as an austerity plan. i agree with ari in the sense that it's a total artifice. there's no reason why you necessarily need to have that, but railroad ama-- ari makes th good point that home ownership and charitable giving are two things in the tax code we want to keep in place. all economists are nearly unanimous if you raise rates on the top 2% you will shave off 0.1% of gdp. you will have...
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the entire house republican leadership signed on to the so-called fiscal cliff proposal letter. they're not serious about negotiating. i don't know the right wing and the tea party of who the republican party is nowadays but it's impossible to have a deal with one side refuses to compromise even after losing. they will not accept their own defeat. >> right. >> and that is the problem. >> a.b. let's play what congressman walter jones had to say on this boehner purge. i have the full screen of what he had to say when several members were removed as identified not being team players. he says, i was surprised but i won't sacrifice my integrity for anyone or any party. my integrity is what will get me in to heaven and i will vote my integrity. again, going back to the position of speaker boehner, pointing out what keith has said about what the american people indicated in their discussion, there could not have been a clearer difference between mitt romney and the president on this issue as noted a thousand times but hearing a congress saying my integrity means more to my party and he
the entire house republican leadership signed on to the so-called fiscal cliff proposal letter. they're not serious about negotiating. i don't know the right wing and the tea party of who the republican party is nowadays but it's impossible to have a deal with one side refuses to compromise even after losing. they will not accept their own defeat. >> right. >> and that is the problem. >> a.b. let's play what congressman walter jones had to say on this boehner purge. i have the...
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as we come to the end of this fiscal cliff, republicans have to choose. do they call for $5 trillion in tax increases over the next ten years or are they going to allow the middle class tax cuts to proceed? that's their choice, and i think people like tom cole recognize that it's unsustainable to take the position that nobody gets tax relief because they hold out for folks with 250,000 and over to get this extra tax cut on the portion of their income above 250,000. after all, what the president is saying on that part of your income above 250,000, you're going back to the clinton era tax raites, which is 4 cents on the dollar. >> congressman van hollen, thank you for your time. we'll see what happens next. thank you, sir. >>> we could soon learn who the president wants to be the next secretary of state. chuck todd says a decision could come this week, but as we get closer to a decision, the partisan divide over the potential nomination of susan rice, considered the front-runner, seems to be intensifying. >> when it comes to susan rice as far as lindsey gra
as we come to the end of this fiscal cliff, republicans have to choose. do they call for $5 trillion in tax increases over the next ten years or are they going to allow the middle class tax cuts to proceed? that's their choice, and i think people like tom cole recognize that it's unsustainable to take the position that nobody gets tax relief because they hold out for folks with 250,000 and over to get this extra tax cut on the portion of their income above 250,000. after all, what the president...
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a fiscal cliff crisis. >> right. they perspectively -- they perspectively blame republicans for it and in part from folks like demint. dave weigel for "slate" and msnbc contributor. thank you for being here tonight, my friend. >> thank you. >>> lame duck session means different things in different parts of the country. in one state, lame duck means shockingly bold action by the government. a lot of people calling it lame and other people ducking. it's big news and a serious conflict in the state of michigan. and one wedding, 2 kids, 43 bottles of olay total effects and many birthdays later, still looks amazing. thanks to the trusted performance of olay. or treat gas with these after you get it. now that's like sunblock before or sun burn cream later. oh, somebody out there's saying, now i get it! take beano before and there'll be no gas. >>> still ahead, red lobster, olive garden, and the affordable care act. the trifecta america has been waiting for and it includes breadsticks. >>> there was a group of protesters wh
a fiscal cliff crisis. >> right. they perspectively -- they perspectively blame republicans for it and in part from folks like demint. dave weigel for "slate" and msnbc contributor. thank you for being here tonight, my friend. >> thank you. >>> lame duck session means different things in different parts of the country. in one state, lame duck means shockingly bold action by the government. a lot of people calling it lame and other people ducking. it's big news and...
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if we go over the fiscal cliff. they have leverage from the campaign. that's the directionion -- speaker boehner today kept the door open to raising rates on the wealthy as part of a negotiating plan. >> at the white house, what are you hearing as to how much flexibility the president thinks he has? >> it's interesting. i had an interesting conversation yesterday with senator sheldon, white house democrat from rhode island, on the senate budget committee, he said look if we go through january 1st without a deal, it's not the end of the world. it will be the end of the world if they never get resolved. if they don't get resolved until mid january or february we'll be okay. from the white house and democrats we want a deal but not afraid to go past this deadline without a deal as susan said, they know they have the upper hand and waiting for republicans to bend. >> you've been looking at this from the per spective the wise men who used to be in leadership and take a look at what happened you wrote about mitch mcconnel
if we go over the fiscal cliff. they have leverage from the campaign. that's the directionion -- speaker boehner today kept the door open to raising rates on the wealthy as part of a negotiating plan. >> at the white house, what are you hearing as to how much flexibility the president thinks he has? >> it's interesting. i had an interesting conversation yesterday with senator sheldon, white house democrat from rhode island, on the senate budget committee, he said look if we go...
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the fiscal cliff and the debt ceiling, are they connected? >> the white house wants them to be connected. they actually think if neck get a deal decoupling the bush tax cuts, having entitlement reform in dealing with the debt ceiling that is getting a raise and not having to worry about it for another couple of years, that's what they want. house republicans have indicated that, look, they actually might want it to kick the can down the road, make a deal on taxes but kick it down the road where they have more leverage. president obama was asked about that earlier this week and said he doesn't want to play the debt ceiling game anymore. that's where republicans have more leverage than then do on other matters. >> all right. senior political editor mark murray, have a great weekend, sir. >> i want to bring in congressman peter welch from vermont. good to see you again. talked to you last weekend on msnbc. at that point you told me that you thought there was a 50/50 shot we'd go off the so-called fiscal cliff. today speaker boehner said talks we
the fiscal cliff and the debt ceiling, are they connected? >> the white house wants them to be connected. they actually think if neck get a deal decoupling the bush tax cuts, having entitlement reform in dealing with the debt ceiling that is getting a raise and not having to worry about it for another couple of years, that's what they want. house republicans have indicated that, look, they actually might want it to kick the can down the road, make a deal on taxes but kick it down the road...
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a fiscal cliff crisis. >> right. they perspectively -- they perspectively blame republicans for it and in part from folks like demint. dave weigel for "slate" and msnbc contributor. thank you for being here tonight, my friend. >> thank you. >>> lame duck session means different things in different parts of the country. in one state, lame duck means shockingly bold action by the government. a lot of people calling it lame and other people ducking. it's big news and a serious conflict in the state of michigan. ♪ if it wasn't for you ♪ don't know what i'd do ♪ i'd have nothing to prove ♪ i'd have nothing to lose [ male announcer ] zales is the diamond store. take an extra 10 percent off storewide, now through sunday. [ male announcer ] zales is the diamond store. capella university understands back from rough economic times. employees are being forced to do more with less. and the need for capable leaders is greater than ever. when you see these problems do you take a step back, or do you want to dive right in?
a fiscal cliff crisis. >> right. they perspectively -- they perspectively blame republicans for it and in part from folks like demint. dave weigel for "slate" and msnbc contributor. thank you for being here tonight, my friend. >> thank you. >>> lame duck session means different things in different parts of the country. in one state, lame duck means shockingly bold action by the government. a lot of people calling it lame and other people ducking. it's big news and...
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a fiscal cliff crisis. >> right. they perspectively -- they perspectively blame republicans for it and in part from folks like demint. dave weigel for "slate" and msnbc contributor. thank you for being here tonight, my friend. >> thank you. >>> lame duck session means different things in different parts of the country. in one state, lame duck means shockingly bold action by the government. a lot of people calling it lame and other people ducking. it's big news and a serious conflict in the state of michigan. with the spark cash card from capital one, olaf gets great rewards for his small business! pizza! [ garth ] olaf's small business earns 2% cash back on every purchase, every day! helium delivery. put it on my spark card! [ pop! ] [ garth ] why settle for less? great businesses deserve great rewards! awesome!!! [ male announcer ] the spark business card from capital one. choose unlimited rewards with 2% cash back or double miles on every purchase, every day! what's in your wallet? or double miles on every purchase
a fiscal cliff crisis. >> right. they perspectively -- they perspectively blame republicans for it and in part from folks like demint. dave weigel for "slate" and msnbc contributor. thank you for being here tonight, my friend. >> thank you. >>> lame duck session means different things in different parts of the country. in one state, lame duck means shockingly bold action by the government. a lot of people calling it lame and other people ducking. it's big news and...
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for all those at home who want to see republicans and democrats work together to avoid the fiscal cliff, we can bring you two lawmakers who are open to cutting a deal before the end of the year. with me are members from both sides of the aisle, u.s. congressman lee terry, a republican from nebraska, and u.s. congressman jerry connolly, a democrat from nearby southern virginia. but first, i want to start with you. you told the "omaha world herald" this about republicans, we're screwed either way. we have no leverage in these discussions. congressman, what did you mean by that? >> what i mean by that is that the president wants us to take a tax vote before he's willing to talk about anything else cutting or reforming, and republicans just aren't going to do that. so what he's doing is setting us up to be the fall people for going over the fiscal cliff. frankly, going over the fiscal cliff is a win for the president. so either way we're going to get it. >> but i don't see why that's true because -- first of all, the president has talked around what kind of cuts he wants to do in nondefense
for all those at home who want to see republicans and democrats work together to avoid the fiscal cliff, we can bring you two lawmakers who are open to cutting a deal before the end of the year. with me are members from both sides of the aisle, u.s. congressman lee terry, a republican from nebraska, and u.s. congressman jerry connolly, a democrat from nearby southern virginia. but first, i want to start with you. you told the "omaha world herald" this about republicans, we're screwed...
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' fiscal cliff counter offer on tax reforms and spending cuts. the gop plan consists of $2.2 trillion in saving officials a decade including raging the age for medicare from 65 to 67 and lowering the cost of living increases for social security benefits. they also propose overhauling the tax code to generate $800 billion in new revenue but without raising taxes on the wealthy. frn in a letter to the president, republicans attempted to sell the offer as the erskine bowles plan, comparing it to the same offer he drew up last year. >> i think he'd disagree. >> the co-chair of obama's deficit commission, but yesterday mr. bowles flatly rejected that connection. meanwhile, the white house is turning to campaign style messaging as a reminder of whose tax plan was chosen in the court of public opinion on election day. >> under my plan, first of all, 98% of folks who make less than 250,000, you wouldn't see your income taxes go up a single dime. all right? because you're the ones who need relief. but we're not going to be able to get it done unless we al
' fiscal cliff counter offer on tax reforms and spending cuts. the gop plan consists of $2.2 trillion in saving officials a decade including raging the age for medicare from 65 to 67 and lowering the cost of living increases for social security benefits. they also propose overhauling the tax code to generate $800 billion in new revenue but without raising taxes on the wealthy. frn in a letter to the president, republicans attempted to sell the offer as the erskine bowles plan, comparing it to...
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there's a fiscal cliff, and this offer isn't good. show me the money, folks. you have the power. you're bragging about the fact that you kept the house. good. show us your offer. put down your offer. now, here's my view on this. and it is the same as the president's in this respect. rough the biggest aspects of the fiscal cliff is the fact that tax rates are going to go up on all americans. the senate has passed a bill that would give the middle class 98% of the people their tax cut. it is done. it's in a package. it's sitting at our desk. and all that has to happen is for the house to take it up. the only reason they're not taking it up is they want millionaires and billionaires to get their taxes cut, too. and this was a big issue in the campaign, thomas. so why don't we, instead of throwing insults, why don't they just pick up and pass that part as their own republican, tom cole suggested, let's have some good faith here, and we'll hammer out the rest of it. >> so senator, one thing you say about show me the money, if we talk about the lack of structural changes that are out t
there's a fiscal cliff, and this offer isn't good. show me the money, folks. you have the power. you're bragging about the fact that you kept the house. good. show us your offer. put down your offer. now, here's my view on this. and it is the same as the president's in this respect. rough the biggest aspects of the fiscal cliff is the fact that tax rates are going to go up on all americans. the senate has passed a bill that would give the middle class 98% of the people their tax cut. it is...
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so what he's doing is setting us up to be the fall people for going over the fiscal cliff. frankly, going over the fiscal cliff is a win for the president. so either way we're going to get it. >> but i don't see why that's true because -- first of all, the president has talked around what kind of cuts he wants to do in nondefense discretionary and about a third of a tral dollars in ten years of entitlements. he's talked along those lines. if he doesn't give you a definition and details by the time you go to vote, obviously you won't vote for it. what's your risk? he's got to get in the pot, too, with his part of the deal. well before the end of the year. >> yeah, i think he wins by playing the political games because -- >> what game? >> you've met -- well, the setting up -- saying that we have to take a tax vote before he's even willing to discuss anything else. >> you said he wants to vote on that without the package being prepared. >> well, that's right. he wants us -- he said that the other day, that he wants us to take that tax vote to prove our sincerity. well, i'll te
so what he's doing is setting us up to be the fall people for going over the fiscal cliff. frankly, going over the fiscal cliff is a win for the president. so either way we're going to get it. >> but i don't see why that's true because -- first of all, the president has talked around what kind of cuts he wants to do in nondefense discretionary and about a third of a tral dollars in ten years of entitlements. he's talked along those lines. if he doesn't give you a definition and details by...
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republicans say they're laughing at president obama's fiscal cliff offer. i'll show you how they're really crying. this is "the ed show." let's get to work. >> there are no shortage of pens in the white house. and i carry one around for an emergency just in case, waiting for a chance to use it to sign this bill so people's taxes don't go up. >> the adult in the room continues his campaign to cut taxes for the middle class, and john boehner keeps shooting spit balls. >> it was not a serious proposal. >> tonight the latest on the stalemate and the democrats' upper hand. mitch mcconnell gets downright ridiculous with his demands to weaken medicare. one of the architects of obama care dr. zeke emanuel responds tonight. >>> house republicans pass an immigration bill democrats say is divisive and inferior. today, congressman javier on why the latino community won't be fooled. >>> the nation's first fast food strike is a historic protest for workers' rights. tonight, what you need to know about the lowest paid workforce in the country. >>> good to have you with us
republicans say they're laughing at president obama's fiscal cliff offer. i'll show you how they're really crying. this is "the ed show." let's get to work. >> there are no shortage of pens in the white house. and i carry one around for an emergency just in case, waiting for a chance to use it to sign this bill so people's taxes don't go up. >> the adult in the room continues his campaign to cut taxes for the middle class, and john boehner keeps shooting spit balls....
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we don't want to go over the fiscal cliff. that's crazy for our country. let's get these as i said extend the tax cuts for those under $250,000. let's agree on a down payment. let's get not only the predictability on the tax code for 98% of americans but also get the automatic across the board cuts off the table for next year. then allow our committees to go to work to bring in the additional savings that we need. i think we can get that blueprint done in the next couple of weeks. >> do you believe that, sir? because have you talked to your republican colleagues in the senate? i mean, do they have a point at which they believe is their we can't pass we cannot cross this line? do you think you're able to meet at least in the senate? >> i think so. i really do believe that the majority of the members of the senate want to get this done, want to get it done now. they want to get predictability to the 98% of taxpayers on their tax rates come january 1st. they want to get these across the board sequestration cuts off the table. they want to make a down payment
we don't want to go over the fiscal cliff. that's crazy for our country. let's get these as i said extend the tax cuts for those under $250,000. let's agree on a down payment. let's get not only the predictability on the tax code for 98% of americans but also get the automatic across the board cuts off the table for next year. then allow our committees to go to work to bring in the additional savings that we need. i think we can get that blueprint done in the next couple of weeks. >> do...
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us about the dangers of going over the fiscal cliff. but his actions have not matched his public statements. members of his own party seem quite comfortable sending the economy over the fiscal cliff. >> let's bring in our friday gaggle, associate editor and columnist for the hill amy stoddard, danielle gibbs, and columnist for bloomberg view and national review and one of the funnier people on twitter and he did not pay me to say that but i will start with you. so we kind of feel like we're back to square one. should republicans having seen them lose the presidency by a wider margin than many people thought lose seats in the senate which i don't think almost anybody -- unless you're a loyal democrat thought, and lose seats, though, to keep control of the house three and a half weeks ago. should they be more willing to say let's just do a deal here and move on? we kind of lost that argument. we need to pick a better fight. >> i think republicans -- before the election they were dead set against any increase in taxes on upper income peopl
us about the dangers of going over the fiscal cliff. but his actions have not matched his public statements. members of his own party seem quite comfortable sending the economy over the fiscal cliff. >> let's bring in our friday gaggle, associate editor and columnist for the hill amy stoddard, danielle gibbs, and columnist for bloomberg view and national review and one of the funnier people on twitter and he did not pay me to say that but i will start with you. so we kind of feel like...
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. >> if republicans do not agree to that, is the administration prepared to go over the fiscal cliff in. >> absolutely. there's no prospect to an agreement that doesn't involve those rates going up on the top 2% of the wealthiest. it's only 2%. >> i want to bring in "usa today" bureau chief and welcome to both of you. where are we in these negotiations, susan? >> i think the most encouraging thing was they agreed to the to characterize the phone call. the last time around the characterization of the phone call became a controversy in itself. i think it's pretty clear that the white house and republicans think the white house hand on this is strengthening. we see the polls that you mention, pew polls this week say americans trust the president more, assume if a deal is not reached -- trust the white house more, think if a deal isn't reached it, will be the fault of republicans and it is in fact easier for democrats to go over the fiscal cliff than it is for republicans because then all those tax cuts from the republicans are swept away. but it's too early. it's only december 6. we've
. >> if republicans do not agree to that, is the administration prepared to go over the fiscal cliff in. >> absolutely. there's no prospect to an agreement that doesn't involve those rates going up on the top 2% of the wealthiest. it's only 2%. >> i want to bring in "usa today" bureau chief and welcome to both of you. where are we in these negotiations, susan? >> i think the most encouraging thing was they agreed to the to characterize the phone call. the last...
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cliff. >> if republicans do not agree to that, is the administration prepared to go over the fiscal cliff? >> absolutely. >> so do you agree with the obama administration's decision to go over the cliff if tax rates on the wealthy don't increase? you can join the "news nation" on facebook. we're at facebook.com/newsnation. ♪ if it wasn't for you ♪ don't know what i'd do ♪ i'd have nothing to prove ♪ i'd have nothing to lose [ male announcer ] zales is the diamond store. take an extra 10 percent off storewide, now through sunday. this reduced sodium soup says it may help lower cholesterol, how does it work? you just have to eat it as part of your heart healthy diet. step 1. eat the soup. all those veggies and beans, that's what may help lower your cholesterol and -- well that's easy [ male announcer ] progresso. you gotta taste this soup. that's what may help lower your cholesterol and -- well that's easy restore revive rejuvenate rebuild rebuild rebuild >>> there's so much going on today. new jersey governor chris christie met with president obama this morning to request fed
cliff. >> if republicans do not agree to that, is the administration prepared to go over the fiscal cliff? >> absolutely. >> so do you agree with the obama administration's decision to go over the cliff if tax rates on the wealthy don't increase? you can join the "news nation" on facebook. we're at facebook.com/newsnation. ♪ if it wasn't for you ♪ don't know what i'd do ♪ i'd have nothing to prove ♪ i'd have nothing to lose [ male announcer ] zales is the...
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thank you. >>> it may be the republicans biggest weapon in the fiscal cliff debate and democrats are trying to remove it permanently. this week, treasury secretary timothy geithner took a proposal to gop leaders that significantly restrict congress' authority over the debt limit. house speaker john boehner pushing back maintaining a debt ceiling increase would need to be matched by spending cuts. >> if we're going to talk about the debt limit in this, then, there's going to be some price tag associated with it. i continue to believe that any increase in the debt limit has to be aacademied by spending reductions that meet or exceed it. >> joining me now, political anchor "new york one news" and co-editor of "scandals, tragedies and trumps triumphs." senior ederter for politics and news at yahoo! news. she has become a weekend pal. thanks for being back with us, both of you. let's start with the debt limit, we're talking about the debt limit, again. do republicans believe this is their ace in the hole? >> i sure hope they don't. i think the president has the stronger hand on this. numb
thank you. >>> it may be the republicans biggest weapon in the fiscal cliff debate and democrats are trying to remove it permanently. this week, treasury secretary timothy geithner took a proposal to gop leaders that significantly restrict congress' authority over the debt limit. house speaker john boehner pushing back maintaining a debt ceiling increase would need to be matched by spending cuts. >> if we're going to talk about the debt limit in this, then, there's going to be...
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two days after the republican fiscal cliff counter offer, both sides are coming out swings. speaker john boehner defended his proposal this morning, adopting a page from the dem's fairness playbook. >> the revenues we're putting on the table are going to come from, guess who? the rich. closing loopholes, especially on those who are wealthy, is a better way to raise this revenue than raising
two days after the republican fiscal cliff counter offer, both sides are coming out swings. speaker john boehner defended his proposal this morning, adopting a page from the dem's fairness playbook. >> the revenues we're putting on the table are going to come from, guess who? the rich. closing loopholes, especially on those who are wealthy, is a better way to raise this revenue than raising
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to go over this fiscal cliff, because republicans won't raise taxes, tax rates on the wealthiest 2% of americans, would subject the average american to big tax increase and enormous damage from the other cuts that would happen. and there's just no reason why the country has to go through that. and we have a chance to do something much better. not just for the long-term health of the american economy, but for the immediate challenge which is getting stronger growth and more job creation. >> but you heard the president say today if there's no deal, are you going to blame the republicans for ruining christmas? >> the only thing that stands in the way of a deal right now is if a group of republican members decide they're going to block a deal because they want to extend tax cuts. we can't afford for the wealthiest 2% of americans. >> the president said on election night, you voted for politics, not action as usual. you're saying what we can expect from republicans. what can we expect from the president to break that cycle? >> a willingness to sit down and explore what the best way to get t
to go over this fiscal cliff, because republicans won't raise taxes, tax rates on the wealthiest 2% of americans, would subject the average american to big tax increase and enormous damage from the other cuts that would happen. and there's just no reason why the country has to go through that. and we have a chance to do something much better. not just for the long-term health of the american economy, but for the immediate challenge which is getting stronger growth and more job creation....
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and 53% say they trust president obama to avoid the fiscal cliff. compared to just 36% who trust republicans in congress. also today speaker boehner said he wouldn't rule out an agreement to raise taxes as part of a fiscal cliff deal. but he also said there's no progress. this is what winning looks like. joining me now, e.j. dionne and thank you both for your time. senator solis, the jobless rate is at a four-year low. that's quite an achievement. >> yes, reverend re. but we still need to do more. in sectors like retail and health care and tourism and hospitality. we need to do more because people are still suffering. we've got to put jobs back in infrastructure and construction and put our teachers. that's why the president is working so hard so we don't go off the fiscal cliff so we keep the most vulnerable people out of harm's way. to pay $2,200. we've got to talk about fairness here and i'm very excited that the public is listening to the message that the president has made very, very clear. >> 146,000 new private sector jobs last month but one
and 53% say they trust president obama to avoid the fiscal cliff. compared to just 36% who trust republicans in congress. also today speaker boehner said he wouldn't rule out an agreement to raise taxes as part of a fiscal cliff deal. but he also said there's no progress. this is what winning looks like. joining me now, e.j. dionne and thank you both for your time. senator solis, the jobless rate is at a four-year low. that's quite an achievement. >> yes, reverend re. but we still need to...
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republicans have taken action to overt the fiscal cliff by passing legislation to stop all the tax hikes. to replace the sequester. and pave way for -- pave the way for tax reform and entitlement reform. and we're the only ones with a balanced plan to protect the economy, protect american jobs and protect the middle class from the fiscal cliff. but without spending cuts and entitlement reform, it will be impossible to address the debt crisis and get our economy going again and create jobs. so right now all eyes are on the white house. the country doesn't need a victory lap. it needs leadership. time for the president, congressional democrats to tell the american people what spending cuts they're really willing to make. with that i'll take a few questions. >> doctor would you not tell democrats what specific spending cuts you would like to see? >> it's been clear over the last year and a half i've talked to the president about many of them. you can look at our budget where we drought line very specific proposals that we passed in last year's budget and the budget in the year before. we kn
republicans have taken action to overt the fiscal cliff by passing legislation to stop all the tax hikes. to replace the sequester. and pave way for -- pave the way for tax reform and entitlement reform. and we're the only ones with a balanced plan to protect the economy, protect american jobs and protect the middle class from the fiscal cliff. but without spending cuts and entitlement reform, it will be impossible to address the debt crisis and get our economy going again and create jobs. so...
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. >>> just weeks before christmas, president obama took his fiscal cliff toy factory. up next, how the fiscal cliff debate affects your wallet, your business or your favorite toys for that matter. you're watching msnbc, the place for politics. ♪ (announcer) when subaru owners look in the mirror, they see more than themselves. so we celebrate our year-end with the "share the love" event. get a great deal on a new subaru and 250 dollars goes to your choice of five charities. by the end of this, our fifth year, our total can reach almost 25 million dollars. it's a nice reflection on us all. now through january 2nd. is bigger than we think ... sometimelike the flu.fer from with aches, fever and chills- the flu's a really big deal. so why treat it like it's a little cold? there's something that works differently than over-the-counter remedies. prescription tamiflu attacks the flu virus at its source. so don't wait. call your doctor right away. tamiflu is prescription medicine for treating the flu in adults and children one year and older whose flu symptoms started within
. >>> just weeks before christmas, president obama took his fiscal cliff toy factory. up next, how the fiscal cliff debate affects your wallet, your business or your favorite toys for that matter. you're watching msnbc, the place for politics. ♪ (announcer) when subaru owners look in the mirror, they see more than themselves. so we celebrate our year-end with the "share the love" event. get a great deal on a new subaru and 250 dollars goes to your choice of five charities....
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cliff negotiations. oklahoma representative tom cole who broke ranks with republicans by embracing president obama's plan to raise taxes on the wealthy stuck to his guns this morning. >> if we can give the american people an early christmas present, if they can listen to the debate instead of be worried that their own taxes are going to go up, i think that actually strengthens our hand. i haven't changed my mind. i'm not going to come out here and be disingenuous to people. i think it would be a step in the right direction. >> today john boehner expressed disappointment at where the negotiations stand. as our first read team points out, by siding with the white house tom cole may be helping boehner get the deal he wants. joining me now, political editor mark murray. why do you think tom cole has strengthened the speaker's position, negotiating position he goes in with? >> it has given john boehner some cover. you now have a conservativconse albeit establishment member of the house republican party who is
cliff negotiations. oklahoma representative tom cole who broke ranks with republicans by embracing president obama's plan to raise taxes on the wealthy stuck to his guns this morning. >> if we can give the american people an early christmas present, if they can listen to the debate instead of be worried that their own taxes are going to go up, i think that actually strengthens our hand. i haven't changed my mind. i'm not going to come out here and be disingenuous to people. i think it...
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president who has the whip hand in fiscal cliff negotiations. what do you think? any part of this criticism of susan rice, is it race-based, election sour grapes or are legitimate questions about benghazi? >> i have no idea what's going on inside their mind. it is clear they are talking about why four of us had to die that day, that's fair game. at the same time, when you look at the folks that the gop have attacked from jones, you see a trend. so that's a fair question too. what also seems tor clear here is there's an incentive to make sure it's john kerry so scott brown has one more bite at the apple. but i do think it would be better esthetics if the next time they are going to attack a member of the administration, they actually showed they weren't fixated on black appointees. one after the other, they seem more comfortable to attack black appointe appointees. that's a big concern for people across the country. >> what about the president though? he clearly is backing susan rice. but is this a fight worth having? i mean -- >> this is a man w
president who has the whip hand in fiscal cliff negotiations. what do you think? any part of this criticism of susan rice, is it race-based, election sour grapes or are legitimate questions about benghazi? >> i have no idea what's going on inside their mind. it is clear they are talking about why four of us had to die that day, that's fair game. at the same time, when you look at the folks that the gop have attacked from jones, you see a trend. so that's a fair question too. what also...
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one we're lamely calling the fiscal cliff. the way republicans in congress and the president solved the debt ceiling crisis was to build this cliff, that we're now supposedly dangling off of. they invented this deadline we're up against. the debt ceiling fight was a disaster, and now republicans, surprise, want to have that fight again. "the new york times" reports that one idea bouncing around the right side of the aisle is this. the republicans will extend tax cuts for the middle class, and then when they need to raise the debt ceiling, quote, demand deep concessions on medicare and social security as a price to raise the debt ceiling. one republican senator reportedly called the debt ceiling the line in the stand. the odds are pretty close to zero that we mint a $1 trillion coin in order to pay off some of the debt. but there's striking movement in the direction of changing the rules so we don't ever have to fight over this completely unnecessary issue ever again. remember, this is important. the debt ceiling isn't about in
one we're lamely calling the fiscal cliff. the way republicans in congress and the president solved the debt ceiling crisis was to build this cliff, that we're now supposedly dangling off of. they invented this deadline we're up against. the debt ceiling fight was a disaster, and now republicans, surprise, want to have that fight again. "the new york times" reports that one idea bouncing around the right side of the aisle is this. the republicans will extend tax cuts for the middle...
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i really appreciate your time. >> the fiscal cliff concession. are republicans getting redity wave the white flag of surrender? based on what you know, what do you think? plus why hamid karzai blames the u.s. for damage in that war torn country in an exclusive interview with nbc news. [ man ] ring ring... progresso this reduced sodium soup says it may help lower cholesterol, how does it work? you just have to eat it as part of your heart healthy diet. step 1. eat the soup. all those veggies and beans, that's what may help lower your cholesterol and -- well that's easy [ male announcer ] progresso. you gotta taste this soup. now's a good time to think about your options. are you looking for a plan that really meets your needs? and your budget? as you probably know, medicare only covers about 80% of your part b medical expenses. the rest is up to you. so consider an aarp medicare supplement insurance plan, insured by unitedhealthcare insurance company. like all standardized medicare supplement plans, they pick up some of what medicare doesn't pay.
i really appreciate your time. >> the fiscal cliff concession. are republicans getting redity wave the white flag of surrender? based on what you know, what do you think? plus why hamid karzai blames the u.s. for damage in that war torn country in an exclusive interview with nbc news. [ man ] ring ring... progresso this reduced sodium soup says it may help lower cholesterol, how does it work? you just have to eat it as part of your heart healthy diet. step 1. eat the soup. all those...
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to blame republicans and just 27% the president if they don't agree on a fiscal cliff. we know that after the election, 60% of people said let's raise taxes on the wealthiest. what more does john boehner need? >> i don't understand the republicans' thinking on this. i really don't. this is power politics. they don't have the leverage in this situation. if they don't cut a deal within the next 30 days, you're going to see tax rates rise on all americans. you're going to see huge cuts in the defense budget. we're probably going to have a double dip recession, and until the congress then gets its act together to fix it and lower rates on the middle class, you will have the republicans essentially responsible for raising tax rates on the middle class. i can't imagine, again, bill krystal said this yesterday. i can't imagine why the republicans would want to be known as raising tacks xes on t middle class. >> thank you both. next, the president reacts to speaker boehner. stay with us. this is sheldon, whose long dy setting up the news starts with arthritis pain and a choice.
to blame republicans and just 27% the president if they don't agree on a fiscal cliff. we know that after the election, 60% of people said let's raise taxes on the wealthiest. what more does john boehner need? >> i don't understand the republicans' thinking on this. i really don't. this is power politics. they don't have the leverage in this situation. if they don't cut a deal within the next 30 days, you're going to see tax rates rise on all americans. you're going to see huge cuts in...
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here's the democratic and republican opening bids on the fiscal cliff. but the revenue side of the republican proposal just doesn't match up with reality. you can't get $800 billion in revenue from lowering rates and closing loopholes and deductions. can we get on that page? it doesn't come close to adding up, unless you get rid of just about every deduction for the middle class that's out there. is that what this election was about? president obama has been clear about it all along. >> unfortunately, the speaker's proposal right now is still out of balance. you know, he talks, for example, about $800 billion worth of revenues, but he says he's going to do that by lowering rates. and when you look at the math, it doesn't work. >> you see, if we lower these rates, then the job creators will go out there end and all this money to hire a bunch of people, and that's going to contribute more to the tax base. and gosh, we're just going to take care of all of our problems. we have tried this stuff, and it didn't work. when leaders mcconnell and boehner feed the
here's the democratic and republican opening bids on the fiscal cliff. but the revenue side of the republican proposal just doesn't match up with reality. you can't get $800 billion in revenue from lowering rates and closing loopholes and deductions. can we get on that page? it doesn't come close to adding up, unless you get rid of just about every deduction for the middle class that's out there. is that what this election was about? president obama has been clear about it all along. >>...
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plus, the fiscal cliff standoff with republican congressman tom cole and former treasury official robert alman. senator maria can'twell tackles the spike on the east coast. "andrea mitchell reports" is up next. how? they work with vmware to provide virtualization and cloud solutions tailored to a company's unique i.t. needs. so, you're my caddy. what solution would you provide for me now? well, you're 30 yards away from the green. you've got a bunker to the left of you and a bunker to the right of you. and remember, this is client golf. tomato, obviously. haha. there's more than that though, there's a kick to it. wahlalalalallala! smooth, but crisp. it's kind of like drinking a food that's a drink, or a drink that's a food, woooooh! [ male announcer ] taste it and describe the indescribable. could've had a v8. [ ding! ] ...and spend time on the slopes. take alka-seltzer plus cold & cough... [ buzz! ] take dayquil. use nyquil d... [ ding! ] ...and get longer nighttime cough relief. use tylenol cold multisymptom nighttime... [ coughs ] [ buzz! ] [ screams ] ...and you could find yourself..
plus, the fiscal cliff standoff with republican congressman tom cole and former treasury official robert alman. senator maria can'twell tackles the spike on the east coast. "andrea mitchell reports" is up next. how? they work with vmware to provide virtualization and cloud solutions tailored to a company's unique i.t. needs. so, you're my caddy. what solution would you provide for me now? well, you're 30 yards away from the green. you've got a bunker to the left of you and a bunker to...
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>>> plus, are we seeing the first signs of republicans giving ground on the fiscal cliff? oklahoma's tom cole, a member of congress says the grand old party should take president obama's view, extend bush tax cuts for all but the top 2%. that's a sign some republicans may be open to higher rates for the rich. >>> is it possible negotiators could learn something from the most important movie out there right now "lincoln." doris kearns goodwin joins us. >>> let me finish with how lincoln outlawed slavery for good and how he did it using politics. this is "hardball," the place for politics. >>> how's this for irony? mitt romney has finally captured 47% of america. remember this video that sunk the romney campaign? >> there are 47% of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. 47% who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them. >> well, the cook report points out romney shared a popular vote of this country has fallen to, you guessed it, 47.4%. as expected to fa
>>> plus, are we seeing the first signs of republicans giving ground on the fiscal cliff? oklahoma's tom cole, a member of congress says the grand old party should take president obama's view, extend bush tax cuts for all but the top 2%. that's a sign some republicans may be open to higher rates for the rich. >>> is it possible negotiators could learn something from the most important movie out there right now "lincoln." doris kearns goodwin joins us. >>>...
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president obama has put house speaker john boehner and republicans in a box on fiscal cliff negotiations. and the evidence is mounting. president obama stayed on offense today, visiting the santana family in northern virginia whose taxes will go up more than $4,000 in 2013 if middle class tax cuts aren't extended. >> i'm encouraged to see that there's been some discussion on the part of republicans acknowledging the need for additional revenue. as i've indicated, the only way to get the kind of revenue for a balanced deficit reduction plan is to make sure that we're also modestly increasing rates for people who can afford it. folks like me. just to be clear, i'm not going to sign any package that somehow prevents the top rate from going up for folks at the top 2%. >> the concerted effort from the white house is very clear. here's white house press secretary jay carney. >> what will produce a deal is an acknowledgement by republicans, republican leaders, that rates on the top 2%, the wealthiest americans, have to rise. there is no deal without that acknowledgement, and without a concrete,
president obama has put house speaker john boehner and republicans in a box on fiscal cliff negotiations. and the evidence is mounting. president obama stayed on offense today, visiting the santana family in northern virginia whose taxes will go up more than $4,000 in 2013 if middle class tax cuts aren't extended. >> i'm encouraged to see that there's been some discussion on the part of republicans acknowledging the need for additional revenue. as i've indicated, the only way to get the...
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how damaging is the fight over the fiscal cliff to the republican party right now? let's take a look at what conservative commentator bill krystal said on fox. >> the republicans are at real risk in my view now of looking like they are defending -- keeping the current tax rates for the wealthy. at the end of the day president obama is selling a simple message, i want to keep taxes low for middle class americans, and republicans look like -- i'm worried they're in the position of looking this, if they don't care about the middle class and want to keep tax rates low for wealthier americans. >> yes or no, is he right? yes or no? >> i don't think so. it's far too easy. >> he's right. democratic strategists are giddy. for two years they've been trying to make this argument, the republicans are going to hold up -- >> let me go back. i think he's wrong. i think ultimately if we don't get a deal, it's bad for president obama, bad for his legacy, and bad for democrats. >> i think you're right, but i also think that your party lost this election, they should act accordingly,
how damaging is the fight over the fiscal cliff to the republican party right now? let's take a look at what conservative commentator bill krystal said on fox. >> the republicans are at real risk in my view now of looking like they are defending -- keeping the current tax rates for the wealthy. at the end of the day president obama is selling a simple message, i want to keep taxes low for middle class americans, and republicans look like -- i'm worried they're in the position of looking...
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i want to talk to you about the fiscal cliff. but, first, i want to talk about jim demint. >> sure. >> what is this say about the senate, about the ability of someone like jim demint, an avowed conservative, to accomplish what he wants to accomplish within that chamber, that he felt the need or saw the opportunity to step outside of the chamber? what does that say about the folk like yourself who are still within it? >> well, jim demint is going to continue to be a leader in this country for years to come. specifically on conservative issues. he's going to continue to push for ways to cut spending and to limit the size of government. and i welcome that. he's choosing to do it outside now rather than inside the senate but he's had a huge, positive influence on the senate and we're going to continue to see that for years to come. >> senator, this may seem like a simple question, but i wonder, and a lot of people do is the senate from your perspective, is the senate a difficult place to be if you are someone who comes from executive
i want to talk to you about the fiscal cliff. but, first, i want to talk about jim demint. >> sure. >> what is this say about the senate, about the ability of someone like jim demint, an avowed conservative, to accomplish what he wants to accomplish within that chamber, that he felt the need or saw the opportunity to step outside of the chamber? what does that say about the folk like yourself who are still within it? >> well, jim demint is going to continue to be a leader in...
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prepared to go over the fiscal cliff? >> absolutely. again, there's no prospect to an agreement that doesn't involve those rates going up on the top 2% of the wealthiest members. only 2%. the size of the problem in some sense is so large it can't be solved without rates going up. again, there is broad recognition of that reality now. >> one fallback option, republicans are reportedly considering to accept tax cuts for the middle class, allow rates to go up to the wealthiest and then start the fight all over again during debt limit talks early next year. yesterday at a business roundtable of ceos, president obama took a hard line warning opponents not to consider the strategy. >> if congress in any way suggests that they're going to tie negotiations to debt ceiling votes and take us to the brink of default once again as part of a budget negotiation which by the way we have never done in our history until we did it last year, i will not play that game. >> senator tom coburn yesterday on "morning joe" became the latest to br
prepared to go over the fiscal cliff? >> absolutely. again, there's no prospect to an agreement that doesn't involve those rates going up on the top 2% of the wealthiest members. only 2%. the size of the problem in some sense is so large it can't be solved without rates going up. again, there is broad recognition of that reality now. >> one fallback option, republicans are reportedly considering to accept tax cuts for the middle class, allow rates to go up to the wealthiest and then...